SOUTH AFRICA - RAMAPHOSA CALLS FOR CALM AFTER SA'S FIRST CONFIRMED CORONAVIRUS CASE

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to stay calm following the confirmation of the country's first coronavirus case.

A 38-year-old man has tested positive for the (COVID-19) virus in KwaZulu-Natal.

The man recently travelled to Italy and has been in self-isolation since.

Ramaphosa says South Africa is prepared to deal with Covid-19.

“The key question is whether we are ready and prepared, just this morning, I was impressed with the level of preparedness in terms of being able to identify what it is and immediately having the person isolated,” Ramaphosa said.

“So we are gearing up more as a country and the report I have received from the minister of health has demonstrated to me that we can be more art and go to higher levels of being alert.

“South Africans shouldn’t panic, we should be alert so that if people show signs of some of the symptoms they should be able to get medical assistance.”

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says a tracer team has been dispatched in KwaZulu-Natal.

The minister said epidemiologists, clinicians from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases are also in KZN.

Mkhize said the Emergency Operations Centre will be running 24-hours from now on.

via - ENCA